Portugal are set to draft in veteran defender Pepe for today’s World Cup meeting with Uruguay.
Head coach Fernando Santos described Pepe as a “monster” ahead of the Group H clash and the former Real Madrid centre-back is set for an interesting one-on-one battle with Uruguay’s star-studded forward line.
Portugal are expected to be without Danilo Pereira for the rest of the World Cup after the Paris Saint-Germain defender broke ribs in training this week.
That opened the door for Pepe, who at 39 years and 275 days would become the oldest player to start a World Cup for Portugal.
“He’s a monster,” Santos said. “Will play.”
Cristiano Ronaldo will captain Portugal amid reports he has been offered a three-year contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr worth more than £180m, making him the highest-paid player in football history.
Uruguay will again be without Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo, who underwent thigh surgery in September.
Predicted Portugal XI:
Costa, Cancelo, Dias, Pepe, Guerreiro; Neves, Carvalho, Bernardo Silva, Fernandes, Felix, Ronaldo.
Predicted Uruguay XI:
Rochet, Caceres, Godin, Gimenez, Olivera, Vecino, Bentancur, Valverde, Pellistri, Cavani, Nunez.